pattygelbrich

Good morning. I'm hoping to get ideas how to train Sophie to get into the car confidently! I want her to be with me and go places together... That's the goal.... Here is the current reality: She gets close to the car, goes flat on the ground like, "Nope, I'm not moving. I hate the car." Age: 2.5 Car: Standard size SUV, Tahoe. Entering through the tailgate - it is quite high in the newer model Tahoe's. So, we've tried entering through the back side door. Car has two bucket seats in back side doors. They do not lift up to make more room. I have moved the front passenger seat up to make more room in back for entry. History: Nothing has gone wrong in the car, no problem with a car, no fall, no accident, no loud noises... As a pup, we would pick her up and put her in, not wanting to encourage jumping on puppy joints and hips. For a period of time, she had ear infections (multiple) and abscess on head, both requiring multiple vet visits for unpleasant things. My husband passed away and during his illness there were multiple car rides to the kennel, and it was such a difficult time for all (including her). What I've tried: *Treats and more treats *Entering through side door *Lots of positives and cheese (her fav). High value treats. *Bought a ramp (it has been fairly successful with shaping, but still takes much time and many treats) *Every time I get her in car, we go for a drive and get a pup patty at a local burger place (trying to get her to think cars mean good things) So, how do I turn this all around and build a happy, confident dog whose excited to go for a car ride, jumps right in and is ready to go have adventures?